Guilhem Guirado
| Birth name | Guilhem Guirado | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 17 June 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Céret, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 109 kg (17 st 2 lb; 240 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Guilhem Guirado (born 17 June 1986) is a French rugby union player, who plays for French Top 14 side, Toulon.[2]
Career
Guirado first appeared on the professional scene when playing for Perpignan from 2005, joining from amateur junior side Arles-sur-Tech. In 2006, he was selected to play for the French U21 side in the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship. He played in all matches, including the grand final against South Africa. France went into the match 24–13 at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.[3] Three years later, he helped his club side Perpignan secure a 7th Top 14 title during in the 2008–09 Top 14 season, beating Clermont 22–13. He was also part of the Perpignan side that came second the following year, losing to their previous opponent Clermont 19–6. His form during 2008–09 season, saw him selected for the French national side for the 2008 Six Nations Championship. He earned his first cap off the bench in the closing week of the tournament against Italy on 9 March 2008.[4] On this occasion, Les Blues were victories 25–13. It wasn't until his sixth cap that Guirado earned his first starts. Starting at Hooker against Fiji during the 2010 end-of-year rugby union internationals. He was part of the French side that came runners-up to the All Blacks in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, though he only played in one game – against Canada on 18 September.
After the 2013–14 Top 14 season, he joined Toulon, who were both European and French Champions, after Perpignan failed to stay in top league. He had already came first choice Hooker at international level, having started in every test against Australia during France's Test series to Australia in 2014. He earned his first appearance for Toulon against Bayonne, with Toulon winning 29–15.
He later took part in the World Cup in 2015, a tournament which was a big deception in France. In quarter finals, France lost 62-13 to New Zealand after a disappointing tournament.
In 2015, after Guy Novès' nomination as Head Coach, he became captain of the national team. The level of the team then gradually improved, as players managed to play in a "French Flair"-based style. Playing very well with his club (Rugby Club de Toulon), and also being very impressive the National team, the Frenchman's attitude and professionalism was praised by the press. Guy Novès also showered Guirado with praise, and said he was likely to be captain of the national team until his retirement, or at least until the end of Novès' head coach's mandate.
Personal life
Born in France, Guirado is of Catalan descent.[5]
References
- ^ "Guilhem Guirado". Official RWC 2011 Site. International Rugby Board. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Guirado Guilhem". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Three new caps for France". Television New Zealand. 6 March 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Guilhem Guirado". ESPN. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "La belle vidéo en hommage à Guilhem Guirado".